Helping Music Artists build real careers
— without selling their soul.
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A song may gain traction quickly— through playlist placements, short-form video virality, or advertising campaigns—but without a clear identity or narrative behind the music, the attention rarely converts into a lasting fanbase.
Discovery happens… But connection doesn’t.
— PressedFreshCollective
Here are the posts that have appeared in the New Music Lives™ Group on Facebook this week 05/03— through 05/09.
05/03
05/04
• 3 of the Best Classic Rock Songs That Opened Albums From the 1970s— from American Songwriter— When writing an album— especially a rock record— it’s best to kick it off with a bang! People can find quiet, small, or sad things anywhere. But truly exciting or thrilling moments? Those can be harder and harder to come by.
05/05
• Song-by-Song: 'Misty Mountain' by Sophia Yau-Weeks— from Songwriting Magazine U.K.— Step inside a quiet folk album exploring solitude, illness and connection... with echoes of Nick Drake and modern indie minimalism. Sophia Yau-Weeks has taken her time with Misty Mountain, a debut drawn from years of quiet persistence rather than any rush to announce herself. A classically trained violinist who came to songwriting during the stillness of lockdown,
05/06
• Especially the music...
• in partnership with American Songwriter
For more than four decades, American Songwriter has played a vital role in preserving, honoring, and advancing the craft of songwriting— at a time when that craft is too often overshadowed by metrics, momentum, and marketing.
Long before “content” became the dominant currency of the music business, American Songwriter was focused on something more enduring: songs that last, and the people who write them.
Their work consistently goes deeper than surface-level success stories. Through interviews, features, and essays, they explore how songs are actually made— where ideas come from, how writers struggle through doubt, how lyrics evolve, and why certain songs resonate across generations. This is coverage rooted in curiosity, respect, and a genuine love for the art form.
What makes American Songwriter especially valuable for working Music Artists is that they honor both sides of the creative life:
• the discipline required to write well
• the vulnerability required to write honestly
• the patience required to build a body of work over time
They recognize that songwriting is not a hack, a shortcut, or a trend—but a lifelong practice.
We also strongly encourage TrueFans AMP™ readers to subscribe (tap the hyperlink) to the American Songwriter newsletter. It’s one of the rare industry emails that feels less like promotion and more like perspective— delivering thoughtful stories, songwriter insights, and reminders of why the work matters in the first place.
At the TrueFans AMP™, we know that real careers are built by artists who stay connected to their craft while learning how the business actually works. American Songwriter helps keep that balance intact— by keeping the song at the center of the conversation.
We’re proud to feature them here and to share their work with Music Artists who care about writing something real— and building something that lasts.
... and here's the more...
05/06
• for MUSIC ARTISTS— the TrueFans AMP™ Magazine 143
In This Issue... 19 pages (about 27ish minutes to read) You'll Get...
• Recommends—The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
• Your BIZ— Rejection Isn’t the Problem. It’s Your Path.
• Greatest Music Artist of All Time— David Allan Coe: The Outlaw Who Lived It, Wrote It, and Never Backed Down
• in partnerships with Marty Dodson and SongTown
• TrueFans Guest Feature— Do It Afraid by Marty Dodson
• P.S. from PS— Rejection Is the Job
05/07
• SONG DIVING with Billy Corgan— An American Songwriter Podcast— Dive in with Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins to talk about the songs he’s written... including “Tonight, Tonight,” “Cherub Rock,” and “Cupid de Locke,” and the music that shaped how he hears and writes songs, from The Beatles to Bob Dylan to Bad Brains to Black Sabbath.
05/08
• 10 Lyrics Mistakes That Peg You As An Amateur Songwriter—from SongTown— In this SongTown lesson Clay Mills and Marty Dodson break down 10 lyric mistakes that can make your songs feel amateur. You’ll learn how to strengthen your big idea, write more conversational lyrics, avoid filler, and make every line support the hook. Stick around for the bonus tip on building your signature style.
05/09
• PressedFresh Collective— Hot Take: Why Streams Alone Don’t Build Music Careers— from pressedfreshcollective— In today’s music industry, it’s easy to believe that success is measured by one thing. Artists celebrate when a track crosses 10,000 plays. Managers celebrate when a playlist placement brings in new listeners. Labels celebrate when a song trends on TikTok. And to be clear - streams matter. They’re a useful metric for tracking discovery and audience engagement.
But here’s the reality that many artists eventually discover:Streaming numbers alone don’t build sustainable music careers.
Thanks for reading. Give us your feedback.
And PLEASE, if you've got any Music Artist friends, pass the TrueFans AMP™ on, because... It’s Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time...
